A/N - Hey Lovelies!  I've got another one for you.  I keep feeling like these are boring, but want to explore where their heads are at before things get a little crazier.  Hopefully its still enjoyable - and helps you love these characters as much as I do!  I always look forward to your comments - so please let me know what you think!  Things are going to start to happen soon!  Enjoy! (PS - and please vote if you like it) 😊

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The next morning, Rey was up early to get herself ready, and to wrap the TV box.  Standing back to admire her handiwork, she laughed at the absurdity of it.  It was completely unlikely that they wouldn't know what it was – but to her, it just didn't feel like a Christmas gift unless it was wrapped.  Finn also woke early, declaring that he too had some last minute shopping to do, and wanted to get to the stores as soon as they opened, before they got too busy.  He'd looked relieved when she told him she was transporting the TV to Obi & Anna's, so they wouldn't have to deal with it on Christmas Day.  He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as he left, saying he'd see her later.

After Ben arrived, he easily carried the TV downstairs and wrangled it into the back seat of his car.  A short time later, they were speeding down the highway on the way to his parent's house.  It was a beautifully sunny winter's day, and Rey couldn't help but feel happy.

Glancing at his profile, she studied him as he drove.  He really was such a great guy.  It just didn't seem fair that he was going through his issues with Kay.  Any woman would be thrilled to call him hers – and she knew that he was the type of man to cherish his woman.  He seemed to try to cherish Kay, but now that Rey knew more about their relationship, it seemed that she constantly, but gently pushed him away.

On the surface, they seemed to be a relatively normal couple, but given all that she knew about their relationship, when Rey really thought about it, Kay and Ben didn't actually seem to be that close.  She couldn't even remember the last time that Ben had said he'd seen her!  Maybe she was a bit crazy, but somehow she thought that herself and Ben were far closer.  Didn't that seem weird?

Ben's voice startled her from her reverie.  "What?"

"Hmmm?"  She asked

"You've been staring at me for the past few minutes.  What is it?"

"Oh.  Sorry."  She replied, looking away and blushing slightly.  "I just kind of got lost in my head is all....I didn't mean to stare."

He glanced over at her.   "What were you thinking about?"

She blushed once more, feeling caught.  "You and Kay."

His eyes widened.  "Ummm what about Kay and I?"

Shrugging, she replied.  "Just that she never seems to be around anymore."

She watched his Adam's apple bob in his throat as he swallowed.  "It does seem that way, doesn't it."  He muttered quietly.

Reaching out, she gave his knee a soft squeeze.  "I'm sorry Ben."

He gave her a curt nod, then changed the subject.  "So, are you ready to meet my parents?  I'm sure they're dying to meet you."

Her brows shot up.  "But why?  They don't know me."

"I may have mentioned you a few times."  His face reddened.  "They know we're close."

"Oh.  Do they think its weird – us being such good friends, despite the fact that you have a girlfriend?"

He glanced across at her.  "If they do, they've never mentioned it.  Don't worry – they positively love Kay."

Rey laughed.  "Ben, everybody loves Kay.  Its impossible not to love her!"

"I know."  He said with a soft smile.  "She's just so...."

"Sweet?"  Rey finished for him.

"Yes.  And good.  That's it.  Exactly."  He said, stealing a glance at Rey, who nodded.  "It was one of the reasons that I was first drawn to her.  That goodness."  He was quiet for a moment.  "It was at a time when I was still trying to find my own."

Rey looked at him quizzically.  "Your own what?"

His eyes flicked to hers, before shifting back to the road ahead.  "Goodness."  She could see his Adam's apple bob again as he swallowed nervously.  "I was still recovering – healing – from.... Snoke."

Rey just looked on silently, waiting for him to continue.  She knew that he'd never, ever willingly brought up Snoke on his own.  When it appeared that he wasn't going to say anything else, she reached out and gave his knee another small squeeze.  "Whenever you're ready, I'll be here to listen...."

He nodded.  "Soon."  His eyes met hers briefly.  "Now is not the time – we're here."

Arriving at his parents house, he pulled into the driveway.  Rey's eyes widened in surprise.  "Holy shit.  Ben.  This is a nice house.  A really nice house!"

"Yeah.  My parents aren't rich, but they don't struggle either.  Well, not anymore that is.  It wasn't always like this.  When I was really young, our house was much smaller."  He looked a little embarrassed.

"No, Ben.  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to sound....well, envious – or judgy or anything like that."  She continued gawking at the house, before turning to him with a big smile.  "But wow – it really is a nice house."

Shrugging, he replied.  "Come and see the inside.  And meet my parents.   I think you'll like them.   They're pretty down to earth too."

"Is there anything I should know before I meet them?"  She asked, suddenly nervous.

Thinking it over for a few seconds, he replied, shrugging.  "My Mom hates bullshit of any kind, and my Dad, well, he's a bit of a scoundrel - you'll see."  He laughed.

She raised a brow and got out of the car to follow him to the door.  Knocking sharply, he opened the front door.  "Hello?  Mom?  Dad?"

"In here!"  They could hear a woman's voice call out from another room.  Ben hung her coat and motioned for her to follow.  Entering the kitchen, Rey could see a short woman, kneading some sort of dough on the counter.  She had greying brown hair tucked into a tidy bun, and her hands were covered in flour as she turned to them.  "Hi there!  Just give me a minute to finish this up."

After a few seconds she plopped the dough into a bowl and cleaned her hands before turning to Ben to give him a quick kiss and a hug.  "Hi Sweetie."  She told him with a grin, her voice full of happy affection.  Shifting to face Rey, she smiled brightly.  "And you must be Rey!  Its so nice to finally meet you.  Ben has spoken of you often."  Stepping closer, she embraced Rey in a warm hug.

Rey was taken aback at the affection his mother was showing her.  She glanced up to see him smirking at her, recalling his discomfort when Anna had behaved similarly upon meeting him.  "Oh!  Um.  Hello Ms.Solo.  Its nice to meet you too."

"Call me Leia, please."  She released Rey and took a step back to look at her.  "I was so glad when Ben called to say you were coming to lunch today."

Rey's eyes snapped to Ben with a narrowed gaze.  "He forgot to mention that we'd be having lunch.  I really don't want to inconvenience you."

"Nonsense."  Leia replied warmly.  "Its nothing extravagant.  I just threw a stew together in a crock pot this morning, and am making a few biscuits."  She turned to frown at Ben.

Ben's eyes flicked back and forth between the two women.  Shrugging, he replied.  "I didn't think it was important.  She never refuses food."  Rey rolled her eyes at his statement, and he raised a brow at her.  "Am I wrong?"

"I could eat."  She muttered, her face turning red.

Leia just laughed, watching the two of them.  "It's really no bother Rey, and it'll give us a chance to get to know you better."

At that moment, an older man with greying hair sauntered into the kitchen, wearing a devil-may-care smile.  Walking up to Ben, he gave him a quick hug and a slap on the shoulder.  Rey could see the resemblance between them, although Ben was a couple of inches taller.

When his eyes lit on Rey, his smile became more appreciative.  "Hello.  You must be Rey." Leaning closer, he gave her a quick hug.  "I'm Han."  Looking back at Ben, he wagged a finger at her.  "And don't believe anything he's told you about me."

Rey laughed, remembering what Ben had said.  "He mentioned a few things..."  she told him vaguely, glancing at Ben with a smirk.

"All exaggerations."  He smiled.

"Okay, everybody out!"  Leia ordered.  "Let me finish getting lunch ready.  I need 15 more minutes.  Ben, Han – one of you get Rey something to drink!"

Rey chuckled, watching the diminutive woman order the two men around like an army general.  She followed them into a sitting room, where Han began asking her a series of questions about her job.  He was interested in modernizing some of his shipping facilities, and recalling that Ben had said she was a robotics engineer, started asking about possibilities to further automate his business.

Ben watched the two animatedly discuss his father's operations, with Rey asking a number of questions, and giving some potential broad options for him to consider.  Their conversation continued throughout lunch, with Rey agreeing to contact him in the New Year to do a site visit at one of his facilities.

During their meal, Leia asked Rey about her adoptive parents.  "So, how are Obi and Anna doing?  I haven't seen them in ten years, I think?  Han?"

"Yeah – its been a long time."  He answered speculatively.

"They're doing well."  Rey said affectionately.  "Obi retired a few years ago – after working for way too long.  Now he just drives Anna crazy all day, unless he's outside tinkering with his old truck."

Han's face showed wonder.  "He still has that old thing?  It was a piece of junk a decade ago."

Rey laughed.  "We all know that.  But he really loves it – and does all that he can to keep her running.  I still help him with it sometimes, but I haven't really had much time in the past year or so."

"You're a mechanic, Sweetheart?"  Han asked, impressed.

"Dad."  Ben said sternly.

"What?"  He asked.

Rey reached out and squeezed Ben's hand.  "It's fine, Ben.  Yes – I'm a mechanic.  Obi taught me everything he knows."  She smiled.  "And my hands are smaller than his, so they can fit in much smaller places to get at some parts."  She smirked.

"Huh."  Han replied, studying her, his eyes honing-in on her small hand which was still squeezing Ben's.

Leia cleared her throat.  "Rey, does your family usually do anything on Boxing Day?"

"No, not really."  She shook her head.  "Finn and I usually just head back home in the evening on Christmas Day, and spend Boxing Day recovering from eating too much of Anna's food."  She smiled.

"Good.  I'd like to invite Obi and Anna over for dinner on Boxing Day.  Would you please tell them that?  Of course, we'd expect you to come – and bring your Finn.  Ben, same for you."  Leia looked at them all.

Rey was surprised at Leia's suggestion.  "Oh.  Um.  Thank you, Leia – that's so nice of you.  We're heading to their place now, so I'll be sure to ask."

Leia beamed.  "Perfect.  Then its settled.  Ben, please make sure Obi has our number."

He nodded.  "I will."

They stayed for a little while longer, relaxing around the table, talking comfortably.  Leia began reminiscing about Ben when he was a little boy, regaling Rey with funny anecdotes about things he used to do, and how he used to talk to an 'imaginary' friend all the time.

"Mom!"  Ben interjected in embarrassment.

"Oh hush!  Its not like I'm telling a bunch of your guy friends about this."  She turned back to Rey.   "I have to admit, he was pretty cute – having complete conversations with himself."  Leia whispered conspiratorially.  "Once we were sure he wasn't actually seeing things, we just kind of accepted it and his 'friend' became part of the family."

Rey smiled in amusement, looking coyly at Ben, leaning closer once again.  "Did your friend have a name?"

Ben wanted to die in mortification.  He gave his mother an exasperated glare, before returning his gaze to Rey, mumbling.  "Christopher."

Rey laughed uproariously, grasping Ben's bicep and leaning her forehead on his shoulder.  "I never would've thought that you would've had an imaginary friend.  But I guess, in hindsight, knowing how quickly your mind works – and how easily you get bored, its not really that surprising."

"I do not get bored easily!"  He protested.

"Oh yes you do!"  Both Rey and Leia answered in unison, before bursting out laughing once again.

He rolled his eyes in continued exasperation, letting out a quiet huff, irritated that his mother had revealed one of his childhood secrets to Rey.

Looking across at his Dad, he noticed Han's eyes watching both him and Rey with an odd look on his face.  He glared back at his father, a clear look of 'What?' written on his face.  His dad just raised an eyebrow and smirked back, but said nothing.

Ben sat back, shaking his head, watching his mom and Rey enjoying themselves as they continued their happy chatter, laughing and hitting it off like they were long lost best friends.  He knew his mom would like Rey, but.... What the fuck was going on?  He continued to observe them, looking back and forth between the two of them, trying to put his finger on it.  It took him a few minutes, but eventually it came to him.  When he finally realized it, he almost laughed out loud.  Rey was actually a lot like his mother.  Like, a lot, a lot.  Little wonder that the two of them seemed to have hit it off so well.

Rey was enjoying herself immensely, having decided that she really liked Leia, feeling that she really clicked with her somehow.  She was small but mighty, and didn't hesitate to speak her mind, with a dry sense of humour that made Rey laugh.  It was clear that Ben had inherited his dry, acerbic wit from her.

Leia seemed particularly interested in how she'd met Ben – asking a bunch of questions about how the friends had become so close.  Rey told her a few tales of their foibles over the past year, with Leia laughing over some of her more amusing stories – including getting Ben to dance at the club, and how he was totally oblivious to how women fell all over themselves to get his attention.  

Hearing their conversation, Ben interrupted.  "Would you two please stop talking about me like I'm not sitting right here?"

Rey looked only mildly contrite.  "Sorry."  She shrugged.

He rolled his eyes, and Leia reached across the table to pat her son's hand.  "Relax Ben, its not like she's telling any secrets...and we don't get to see or hear about these things.  You certainly don't tell us."

"You never pump Kay for info about stuff like that."  He muttered.

"I know that dear – because Kay is unlikely to say much about them.  She's just so reserved – and would probably only say nice things.  Why do you think I asked Rey?"  She said with an amused smirk.

Ben huffed out an irritated breath and rolled his eyes again, shooting Rey an annoyed look.  Rey just snickered back.

Soon afterward they decided that it was time to head over to Obi and Anna's, with Rey explaining how Ben was helping her deliver their gift.  Leia's eyes found Ben's once again, an amused smirk on her face.  "That's very helpful of him."  She deadpanned.

Ben's eyes narrowed at his mother's remark, but he kept silent, not wanting to explore whatever she was trying to infer.

As they were leaving, Leia once again embraced Rey.  "It was so lovely to meet you Rey.  Please, don't be a stranger – you're always welcome!  And don't forget to mention our invite to your parents."

"Thank you, Leia."  Rey smiled back bashfully.  "It was wonderful to meet you too.  Ben always speaks so highly of the both of you – and now I see why."

Han stepped up and gave Rey a quick squeeze.  "If you're ever feeling in the mood to tinker, I have an old car I work on sometimes too, with only our dog Chewie to keep me company.  I'd love to see what you can do."

"Dad!"

"What?  I'm just thinking that if she can help Obi keep that old piece of shit – sorry Rey – running, she might be a good assistant to get the Falcon running too."

"The Falcon?"  Rey asked.

Han's eyes lit up.  "A vintage 1963 Ford Falcon.  She's not much to look at – but she's got more power than you'd expect!  I've been working on her bit by bit, but don't have as much time these days as I'd like.  I could use a good assistant to get her into shape."

"Dad – you call Obi's truck a piece of shit?  The Falcon is garbage in comparison!"

Han wagged his finger in Ben's face.  "No she is not!  One day.... I'll get her running smoothly.  You'll see!"

She laughed, feeling Ben's lighthearted exasperation from beside her.  "If I ever have some free time Han, I'd love to come get my hands dirty, and see what she can do!"

"I'm gonna hold you to that!"  He smiled.

"Deal."  She smiled back.

Leia just shook her head and leaned up to give Ben a hug and a kiss.  "Bye Sweetie."  Leaning closer, she whispered in his ear.  "Thanks for bringing your friend.  I really like her."

Ben looked back at her in confusion, and Leia just continued to smile innocently as they walked out the door.

After they'd left, Han sighed and turned to Leia, his hands in his pockets.  "Something tells me our boy is in for a rocky few months."

Leia nodded.  "And I don't think he quite realizes it - yet."

****

"I really like your parents."  Rey told him as they pulled out of the driveway.

He nodded, the ghost of a smile appearing on his face.  "They seemed to like you too – a lot.  Especially my mother, but my father was also quite smitten."

"Why do you say that?"  She asked.

"You impressed him – and intrigued him, I think.  He's a tinkerer at heart too."  His voice held a note of nostalgia as he continued.  "When my dad first started his business, money was very tight.  He was the one who fixed all the trucks.  They only had 3 small ones at that point, but still.... He sees himself as a bit of a tinkering afficionado."  He laughed.  "I suspect you'd put him to shame though..."

She chuckled.  "Well then, it sounds like he could really use my help with the Falcon.  I'll have to try to come take a look at her one day."  Her voice softened, as she added.  "Its clear how much they love you."

His eyes met hers for a brief instant.  "They almost lost me."  He said softly.  "I almost lost myself – and because of that, I almost lost them.  It's changed all of us.  We're closer – appreciate each other more."  He took a deep breath.  "They helped me – get away from Snoke.  And afterward too."  His voice went really quiet.  "I was really messed up Rey.  For over a year – probably closer to two.  I needed a lot of therapy – and support.  I couldn't have done it without them.  And I'll never take them for granted again."

Rey was stunned.  She knew that things were bad when he was young – that he'd been estranged from his parents for years, but she didn't really know why.  She'd been aware that he'd been some sort of child prodigy to a man named Snoke, who owned some huge strategic firm – something like First Order Strategic – and that Ben was very sensitive about him.  Putting two and two together, she realized that his estrangement was likely related to this Snoke that she'd heard about.

Her voice was hesitant when she asked.  "Ben.  What did Snoke do to you?"

He let out a shuddering breath.  "What didn't he do."  He glanced at her again.  "I met him at a charity event when I was 12.  He'd struck up a conversation with me, and he seemed....intrigued.....by me at first."

The blood drained from Rey's face as the potential implications of that whispered across her mind.  "Ben.....no....."

He glanced at her again, noting her pallor and the expression on her face.  He quickly corrected her misunderstanding.  "Rey, no!  Thankfully it was nothing like that!  But I could see how you – and probably others – may have gotten that impression.  He really was a twisted fuck."  Giving her a self deprecating smirk, he said.  "Luckily, he was only interested in my mind.  He'd noted my skill at problem solving – how my thought processes were non-linear – a trait that's required in strategic thinking.  For whatever reason, he wanted to train me from a young age – so that I would join his company."

His hands tightened on the steering wheel.  "At first, I wasn't interested.  I didn't even know what strategics were at that age.  I didn't even bother mentioning it to my family.  And then, somehow, he started communicating with me.  Just little emails and notes here and there to start.  But then he started coming to my school – finding me while I walked home.  He – befriended me.  Made me feel important.  And each time, he'd always find a way to tell me all the reasons why I could be a brilliant strategist – maybe even the best in the world."

Rey watched his face – could see that he was lost in the past - struggling with the tale.  She remained silent and just listened to him speak, letting him allow it to all pour out.

"But he was a master at his game.  Somehow, he was able to sow seeds of doubt about my family – about their loyalty, and belief, in me.  To be honest, I'm not even sure how he did it.  It took him years to cultivate those seeds.  But cultivate them he did, and by the time I was 16, I didn't believe a word my parents said to me.  They were both busy with their careers – dad with his company, and mom with her new foray into politics.  I honestly believed that they didn't care – didn't love me – their own son.  Snoke had managed to convince me of that – and that I'd be better off with him.  That he'd provide me with a private education, teach me everything he knew, and make me the best strategist in the world – next to him, of course."

He sighed.  "It was the opportune time for him.  Things were not only bad at home – they were bad at school.  I didn't really have any friends – I was teased a lot – big, uncoordinated, ugly Ben."  He stopped for a minute, inhaling deeply and swallowing a few times.  "So, when he offered me the chance to get away from all of that, I took it, and didn't look back for years."

Rey's heart clenched for the young boy who'd been so manipulated.  And for him to have been teased because he was ugly?  That seemed incomprehensible to her – but she was acutely aware how mean teenagers could be – having suffered similar issues during her own adolescent years.

"What happened after you joined him?"  She asked cautiously.

Ben's mouth opened and closed a few times, before any words finally came out.  "He messed with my head Rey.  Totally fucked with it.  And I was just a kid – a stupid, willful teenager.  Yes, he trained me in all of his methods – and they worked brilliantly.  But in doing so he used some form psychological torture to teach me those things – to bend my mind to his way of thinking.  It was like he slowly re-wired my thought processes.  So subtly at first that I didn't even recognize it was happening.  But eventually, my entire personality changed.  I became a completely different person.  I was twisted.  Conspiratorial.  Intolerant.   Didn't think like normal people.  Didn't trust anyone – not even Snoke."

The breath shuddered out of his chest.  "I'm not sure what happened, but one day, I started to realize that some of the things he had me doing and the problems he wanted me to 'work out' for him just weren't right.  They were immoral – some were illegal – and I started to have second thoughts about everything.  He saw me start to falter, and recognized that he was losing me.  So, he convinced me that my father was sabotaging my career – was standing in the way of my greatness.  And I believed him at first – I even came up with a plan to get away with his murder – which is what Snoke wanted."

Ben could hear her sharp intake of breath, and turned to look at her with anguished eyes.  "Thank God I snapped out of it in time."

Rey reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.  "Because that's not who you really are."  She told him softly.

"But I was that person Rey!  I've done some really bad things!  Terrible things!  I can't be sure, but some of my "solutions" may even have led to murder!"  She could hear that he was getting really upset.  His voice was raised and he was breathing heavily, his hands shaking on the steering wheel.  "I must have some fucked up flaw inside me to have allowed it to get that far.  I almost had my father murdered in the name of that twisted fuck who was trying to build himself an empire!"

Rey tried to stay calm in the face of his extreme anxiety, fear and pain.  "I don't believe the fault lay with you.  You said yourself that he used psychological torture – and I assume it was your therapist who told you that.  But you recognized that what you were doing was wrong – and you sought help.  You got out.  You healed.  And because of that, you're a different person today."

"Rey, I contemplated killing my own father!  I even went so far as to have come up with a plan to do it!  Thought through every step of it – making sure it would all happen effortlessly.  It wasn't until I imagined the expression on his face – what I would've seen as I did it - that I truly snapped out of it."  He shuddered out a breath.  "I'm a monster Rey.  And I'm afraid that...."

He was silent for almost a minute before she asked.  "What are you afraid of Ben?  Please...tell me."

She could see a lone tear trickle down his cheek.  "I'm afraid that the monster is just....buried.  In hiding somewhere inside of me.  And that one day, something will happen, and the monster will find its way back to the surface, and hurt everyone and all that I love again."

Her very soul went out to him at that instant.  His face looked haunted, and she wanted to comfort and reassure him with everything inside of her.  "Ben."  She said soothingly.  "You are not that person anymore.  That monster – the one you're afraid is still hiding – lurking beneath the surface, is gone.  That monster wasn't you. He was created by that sick, sadistic bastard.  And he was slain – exorcised - when you found yourself again."

Taking a cleansing breath, he tried to swallow down the knot in his chest.  She could see that his eyes were glassy.  "Yes – but I needed intensive therapy Rey.  I was so fucked up...."  At the last statement, his voice finally broke.

She reached out and gently snagged his right hand off of the steering wheel, threading her fingers through his and giving a reassuring squeeze with both of her hands before letting go. "And it worked.  You're a good person, Ben.  A normal person.  What happened in the past, is in the past.  Leave it there.  Let it die."  She stressed.

He nodded again.  "I intend to.  I just...."  He swallowed again.  "I just wanted....no, I needed to tell you this.  Needed to get it off my chest.  Its felt like this big secret I've been keeping from you – and it felt so wrong not to tell you.  I.....I've never told anyone else.  Only my parents and my therapist know.  I've never even told Kay – worried about what she might think of me – or what her parents might think if she told them."

Rey was taken aback.  He'd never even told Kay?   She stared at him, tears pricking at her eyes.  She was heartbroken that he'd gone through all of that – especially so young.  But with the help of his family, he'd bounced back.  Recovered.  He really was a good person – such an amazing man.  She believed that even more now that she'd heard the details.

"Ben.  I'm touched – and honored – that you trust me enough to have confided in me.  Thank you for that.  I will never tell another soul without your permission."

She was quiet for a minute, before adding.  "And Ben?  It doesn't change a single thing about how I see you – and what I think of you.  You're literally the strongest person I know – and in my mind, this proves that.  What it must have taken for you to break free and to overcome that – its astounding.  Finn had a really shitty upbringing, and had to become strong in his own way to overcome his circumstances - but he never had to endure the kind of shit that you did.

She took a deep breath, trying to keep her own emotions in check before she started crying in earnest.  "Our experiences make us who we are – and because you endured all of that, you're not only stronger – you're wiser – and see things differently.  I am so proud of you Ben.  It's a miracle you were able to get out of that situation – and to have done the things you've done since then.  Your family, your education, your business – and you're still only 28.  I'm sure you'll do even greater things in the future.  So, I really hope you're proud of yourself too."

His face was impassive as his eyes met hers for an instant, showing no emotion.  She could tell that he was trying to mask his emotions – keep them all inside – to keep from breaking down.

Reaching out once again , she gave his shoulder another squeeze.  "Please believe it Ben.  It shows how strong you are.  And Ben, you're still my closest friend in the entire world – nothing will ever change that."  Trying to lighten the mood a bit, she added.  "If anything, I'm even more in awe of you than I already was.  Also, it'll probably help me understand some of your quirks a little better."

"Like what quirks?"  He asked.

"Oh, I don't know.  Like when you clench and open your left fist 10 or 12 times when you're annoyed or angry?"

He blushed, looking away.  "Thirteen."  He confirmed.  "A focusing trick from my therapist."

Her eyes widened before smirking slightly.  "Or how all of your glasses and mugs are arranged in ascending sizes."

"I like my things to be orderly."  He replied.

"And how you absentmindedly but repeatedly run your hand through your hair when you're nervous or anxious about something."  She teased.

He rolled his eyes.  "I do not do that."

"Oh yes you do!"  She laughed, her eyes dancing.  "I've watched you do it five times in the last 5 minutes!"

He glanced over at her briefly, before reaching out his hand to her.  She held out her own and he interlaced their fingers, squeezing it tightly.  He held it firmly for a minute or so before absentmindedly bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss.  Her heart stuttered at the simple gesture, as warmth suffused her entire being.  Sometimes... she thought, trying to calm her racing heart.

His eyes met hers again.  "Thank you, Rey."

Her voice was quiet, and she gave him a soft smile.  "Always, Ben."

****

They'd managed to get the TV to Obi and Anna's, stashing it away in Rey's old room.  Rey had shooed her adoptive parents into the living room and kept them there, while Ben carried the gift to the bedroom.  It wasn't a surprise that she was bringing it over early – she'd told them that she was coming.  But she didn't want them to see it – since they'd likely know exactly what it was at first sight.

"Just shove it into the closet, or under the bed if it doesn't fit in there."  She'd instructed him when they got there.  "It's the last door on the left."

Once Ben had completed his task, he couldn't resist looking around the room that Rey had called hers growing up.  There were photos scattered here and there.  One was of her at high school graduation, in her cap and gown, holding up her diploma with a cheesy grin on her face.  On the wall hung a half a dozen certificates of achievement – including several awarded for scoring the highest mark in a bunch of grade 12 classes such as calculus, physics and more.  Several small, robotic models sat on a shelf above her desk.  Looking closer, he could see that most were shaped like bugs, whereas a few were different types of vehicles.  He smiled at the cute little creations. Likely an elementary school hobby.

A poster of Albert Einstein hung on the back of her door, and one of Doctor Who on the wall above her bed.  Another one of an atom was on the far wall.  Shaking his head, he couldn't help laughing.  She really was a geek.  The name Technogeek certainly suited her to a T.

Emerging from her bedroom, he made his way into the living room to say hi to Rey's adoptive parents.  They both greeted him warmly, Anna giving him a big hug once again.  Rey just watched as they said their hellos, curious as to what had taken him so long.  "Did it fit okay?"  She whispered quietly.

"Yes."

Her eyes narrowed.  "Then did you get lost or something?"  She asked with a smirk.

"No."  His ears went a little red.  "I was just snooping around in your room for a few minutes."  He smiled.  "I particularly like the little bugs."

Confusion was written on her face.  "Bugs?"  She asked, trying to think of what he could be talking about.  "Oh – my bugbots!  I had totally forgotten about them.  I think I was 11 or 12 when I made them?  They were for a science project.  Well, the first one was.  The others... I just had to make him some friends."  She grinned.  "I guess I sort of got a little carried away."

He shrugged.  "Its all very.....you."

She blushed, looking away in embarrassment.  "Um....I was really into science when I was a teenager..."

"I can see that."  He said, his voice laced with amusement.

Trying to change the subject, she switched to his parent's invitation.  "I was just mentioning your Mom's invite to dinner on Boxing Day."  She glanced back over at Obi and Anna.  "But for some reason they sound hesitant about it."

Anna chimed in.  "We're not really hesitant – but we haven't seen each other in so long, and the holidays are about spending time with family.  I'm sure they have others they'd like to get together with more.  Maybe some other time."

"Ms. Kenobi, I know that my mother and father would really like to see the two of you.  We don't have a large family, and will have seen everyone the day before.  Please, call her, or have Obi call her."

Obi glanced over at Rey.  "Will you be there too?"

She nodded.  "I think so.  Leia also invited Finn and I – but I need to check with him first.  We usually just hang around the apartment all day, so it should be fine."

"I'll give Leia a call then, and let you know for sure."  Obi told Rey.

"Okay, sounds good."  Glancing at Ben and then back at her adoptive parents she told them.  "We really should be going.  I've been gone all day – Finn is probably wondering where I've been."

"You're leaving already?"  Anna said disappointedly.  "You just got here.   At least stay for a coffee.  I have some nice cake too."

Rey looked over at Ben inquisitively, trying to see his reaction.  A smile teased at his lips.  "I could go for a coffee and some cake."

"Good.  Come."  Anna replied, shepherding them all into the kitchen.

Rey tugged on his hand, whispering.  "Thank you."

He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and a quick nod as they headed into the kitchen.

As they ate their cake and sipped their coffees, Rey glanced at Ben, marvelling at how happy she felt.  It had been a great day.  A fantastic day.  Sadly, she realized that she hadn't had one of those in a very long time.